Socrates and other philosophers argue the nature of the good city. And they also try to find the nature of a bad city to know whether a man living in a good city is happiest or a man living in a bad city is not.
Socrates points out four constitutions as a example for a bad city. One is Cretan or Laconian constitution. The second is oligarchy. Next is democracy. And tyranny is the fourth. They try to seek human character in each constitution because there must be as many oforms of human character as there are of constitutions. Every conversation in the book is intended to clearfy the meaning of justice and whether people who has it can really lead happiest life or not.
Misaki
6/30/2007
6/29/2007
Allegory of the cave
The important thing for allegory of the cave is that the big difference between a man who saw the truely real thing with his eye out of the cave and men who are in the cave and believed that the shadow they saw was truely real thing.
It is written that the man who went out of the cave would go through any sufferings rather than share prisoner's beliefs and live as they do. In addition, if the man went back down into the cave, his eyes would be filled with darkness coming suddenly from the place filled with light. And then, the prisoners would laugh at the man because he could not see anything in the cave though the prisoners could see clearly.
It suggests it will take time to need flexibility to become comfortable with the environment. However, it will not be easy. And it will not be possible to share thoughts between the man and the prisoners.
It is written that the man who went out of the cave would go through any sufferings rather than share prisoner's beliefs and live as they do. In addition, if the man went back down into the cave, his eyes would be filled with darkness coming suddenly from the place filled with light. And then, the prisoners would laugh at the man because he could not see anything in the cave though the prisoners could see clearly.
It suggests it will take time to need flexibility to become comfortable with the environment. However, it will not be easy. And it will not be possible to share thoughts between the man and the prisoners.
6/28/2007
Allegory of the cave
Today, I'm showing the most famous part in the Republic. It is about allegory of the cave. Let me tell you the story Socrates says in the book about the effect of education and that of the lack of it.
Imagine human beings living in an underground, their cavelike house. They have been living there since childhood and have not moved from the same point. What they could see was the wall in front of them. Above and behind them, fire is burning. And between prisoners and the fire, there is a road. Along this road, people are carrying artifacts such as statues of people and other animals made of stone or wood. Some people are talking carrying statues. The other is silent.
The problem for the prisoners is that they could see only the shadows of people and the statues they are carrying casted on the wall. For that reason, they would take it for true reality.
One day, a man was allowed to see the fire itself and the statues itself. At first, he would not be able to see them because it was too bright for him. So, he would believe the shadow he used to see had been easy to see and ,thus, more truly real. This suggests he would be unable to see a single one of the things said to be truly real. Moreover, he would need time to get adjusted to see the truly real things above the cave.
On the contrary, a man he has got adjusted to see the fire with his eyes and known what the truly real things are would not want to go back to the cave and live with the prisoners who still did not believe the shadows were the real things. And he also would not be able to see the thing in the cave because it was too dark to see.
Imagine human beings living in an underground, their cavelike house. They have been living there since childhood and have not moved from the same point. What they could see was the wall in front of them. Above and behind them, fire is burning. And between prisoners and the fire, there is a road. Along this road, people are carrying artifacts such as statues of people and other animals made of stone or wood. Some people are talking carrying statues. The other is silent.
The problem for the prisoners is that they could see only the shadows of people and the statues they are carrying casted on the wall. For that reason, they would take it for true reality.
One day, a man was allowed to see the fire itself and the statues itself. At first, he would not be able to see them because it was too bright for him. So, he would believe the shadow he used to see had been easy to see and ,thus, more truly real. This suggests he would be unable to see a single one of the things said to be truly real. Moreover, he would need time to get adjusted to see the truly real things above the cave.
On the contrary, a man he has got adjusted to see the fire with his eyes and known what the truly real things are would not want to go back to the cave and live with the prisoners who still did not believe the shadows were the real things. And he also would not be able to see the thing in the cave because it was too dark to see.
6/27/2007
Have you ever seen the picture of Gandhi or him on the TV program? If so, do you remember what he was wearing?
In 1917, he travelled all over India. He saw the terrible poverty of the people there. He saw the dirty clothes of women by chance. And he told her to clean the clothes. However, she said to Gandhi's wife who was also taking a trip with him that "See, I have no other clothes. I have put on the only piece of cloth I have! How am I to wash it?" Gandhi was really moved at her statement. Then, he decided to be simplar still from this point though he was stll in simple clothes. He gave up wearing a cap and a shirt. Instead, he wore only a lion-cloth. His compassion appeared in his wearing.
In 1917, he travelled all over India. He saw the terrible poverty of the people there. He saw the dirty clothes of women by chance. And he told her to clean the clothes. However, she said to Gandhi's wife who was also taking a trip with him that "See, I have no other clothes. I have put on the only piece of cloth I have! How am I to wash it?" Gandhi was really moved at her statement. Then, he decided to be simplar still from this point though he was stll in simple clothes. He gave up wearing a cap and a shirt. Instead, he wore only a lion-cloth. His compassion appeared in his wearing.
6/26/2007
Gandhi's originality as a thinker and political leader appears in his theory and practice of nonviolence. He was inspired by Leo Tolstoy in course of creating the concept of nonviolence. Leo Tolstoy was a Russian writer and philosopher as well as pacifist Christian anarchist and educational reformer. He is also well known for his idea of nonviolent resistance. The book I'm reading now says "he believed that to return injury for injury does harm both to ourselves and our enemy."
Gandhi shows the character of nonviolence in the book. He says that permanent good can never be the outcome of untruth and violence. And there are lots of his remarks about nonviolence. I have to know the background of emergence of his idea, nonviolence however.
Gandhi shows the character of nonviolence in the book. He says that permanent good can never be the outcome of untruth and violence. And there are lots of his remarks about nonviolence. I have to know the background of emergence of his idea, nonviolence however.
Gandhi, a charkha
Hi. I'm writing for yesterday's blog because I could not access to the Internet yesterday at my home. I'm sorry about this.
By the way, I'm going to write about "a charkha", a spinning wheel, which is a tool Gandhi used for his teaching. This is also a symbol of Indian Independence Movement and drawn on the earlier versions of the Flag of India. If you get interested in it, please go to http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/India1931flag.png and take a look at the flag.
He claims a charkha brings the India freedom. What he wished using a charkha as a symble of his thought was that everyone, rich or poor or in between, should have access to food, shelter and clothing in a self-reliant way. If not doing this, he believed Indians would be enslaved because they could not help themselves living on their own. As result, by doing this, he hoped that people in India can be independent.
Misaki
By the way, I'm going to write about "a charkha", a spinning wheel, which is a tool Gandhi used for his teaching. This is also a symbol of Indian Independence Movement and drawn on the earlier versions of the Flag of India. If you get interested in it, please go to http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/India1931flag.png and take a look at the flag.
He claims a charkha brings the India freedom. What he wished using a charkha as a symble of his thought was that everyone, rich or poor or in between, should have access to food, shelter and clothing in a self-reliant way. If not doing this, he believed Indians would be enslaved because they could not help themselves living on their own. As result, by doing this, he hoped that people in India can be independent.
Misaki
6/24/2007
the Republic, Book 6
In the Republic, it is also written about a philosopher. Let me show you what they talk about him.
Socrates thinks a philosopher should become a king and govern a city. But, his idea will be disregarded, and he will come under severe criticism. In order to persade people who is against the idea, Socrates starts to define a philosopher. If he can make clear, those who is not for Socrates may get to know his theory.
First, Socrates asserts the philosophers are "the ones who are able to grasp what is always the same in all respects." Second, he says the philosophers "must hate falsehood and have a natural affection for the truth." Third, the philosophers must be temperate. On the contrary, they should not be money-loving and coward. Moreover, they have to be good at remembering.
Next, Socrates moves to the other topic which is how the good philosophers must be educated.
I found that he discuss the philosophers and provides me with the knowledge of philosophy and a philosopher.
Misaki
Socrates thinks a philosopher should become a king and govern a city. But, his idea will be disregarded, and he will come under severe criticism. In order to persade people who is against the idea, Socrates starts to define a philosopher. If he can make clear, those who is not for Socrates may get to know his theory.
First, Socrates asserts the philosophers are "the ones who are able to grasp what is always the same in all respects." Second, he says the philosophers "must hate falsehood and have a natural affection for the truth." Third, the philosophers must be temperate. On the contrary, they should not be money-loving and coward. Moreover, they have to be good at remembering.
Next, Socrates moves to the other topic which is how the good philosophers must be educated.
I found that he discuss the philosophers and provides me with the knowledge of philosophy and a philosopher.
Misaki
6/23/2007
Today, I enjoyed reading the book, and found interesting conversation in it.
First, Socrates and Graucon, Plato's older brother, mention gender role. It is interesting because the problem is always a centre of concern among people in modern world as well as in Ancient Greece. They says each one has to do the one job for which he was naturally suited despite of sex. Thus, women can share by nature any jobs because the various natural capasities are distributed between men and women.
Second, they lay down the prohibition of privatization. They confirm that it is the greatest thing for a city to bind it together. How it can be come true is "sharing pleasure and pain bind it together when all the citizens feel more or less the same joy or pain at the same gains or looses."
So, if people are going to real gurdians, they should not have private houses, land, or any other posession. From this, I came to know the meaning of sharing in the public.
Misaki
First, Socrates and Graucon, Plato's older brother, mention gender role. It is interesting because the problem is always a centre of concern among people in modern world as well as in Ancient Greece. They says each one has to do the one job for which he was naturally suited despite of sex. Thus, women can share by nature any jobs because the various natural capasities are distributed between men and women.
Second, they lay down the prohibition of privatization. They confirm that it is the greatest thing for a city to bind it together. How it can be come true is "sharing pleasure and pain bind it together when all the citizens feel more or less the same joy or pain at the same gains or looses."
So, if people are going to real gurdians, they should not have private houses, land, or any other posession. From this, I came to know the meaning of sharing in the public.
Misaki
6/22/2007
Hi. Today, let me make sure what justice is and how it means to a city.
The Philosophers discuss how a city can be established. And they found justice is by no means the element to form a city. Then, what they laid down and often repeated is that "each person must practice one of the pursuits in the cuty, the one for which he is naturally best suited." Lets's take the farmares in a city as example. If they put on gorgeous clothe and wear gold jewelry, and tell them to work in their farms whatever they want, a farmer won't be a farmer. Likewise, any of the others won't be characterized to the tarue type. So, please consider if it was a leader of a city. If the guardians of a city quit his work and just pretend to be, they will destroy the city. This is the point why Socrates states people should concentrate on one thing for establish a good city.
Misaki
The Philosophers discuss how a city can be established. And they found justice is by no means the element to form a city. Then, what they laid down and often repeated is that "each person must practice one of the pursuits in the cuty, the one for which he is naturally best suited." Lets's take the farmares in a city as example. If they put on gorgeous clothe and wear gold jewelry, and tell them to work in their farms whatever they want, a farmer won't be a farmer. Likewise, any of the others won't be characterized to the tarue type. So, please consider if it was a leader of a city. If the guardians of a city quit his work and just pretend to be, they will destroy the city. This is the point why Socrates states people should concentrate on one thing for establish a good city.
Misaki
6/21/2007
6/20/2007
Rousseau's idea, Inequality
Jean-Jacques Rousseau is a French philosopher and a composer in 18th century. In this summer, I will read one of his works called "Discourse on the Origin and Foundation of Inquality Among Men." His political idea influenced the French Revolution.
Human beings was once in the state of nature in which there is no inequality because those who were in the state of nature had almost no relationship with each other. Moreover, Rousseau sffirmed those people were born pure. Thus, they knew neither vice or virtue. Anyway, he proclaims that there are two types of inequality. One is natural or physical inequality since it is established by nature and consists in the difference of age, health, bodily strength, and qualities of mind or soul. Another is called moral or political inequality His theory starts from this point of view.
Misaki
Human beings was once in the state of nature in which there is no inequality because those who were in the state of nature had almost no relationship with each other. Moreover, Rousseau sffirmed those people were born pure. Thus, they knew neither vice or virtue. Anyway, he proclaims that there are two types of inequality. One is natural or physical inequality since it is established by nature and consists in the difference of age, health, bodily strength, and qualities of mind or soul. Another is called moral or political inequality His theory starts from this point of view.
Misaki
6/19/2007
Justice
Today I found that what Socrates said about justice in a nation and in a individual.
Socrates and the other philosophers draw the conclusion that justice is doing one's own work and not meddling with what is not one's own. The reason is based on what they discussed before. They discussed it is certainly beneficial and proper for a city to let people work for one particular job and not to let him devote energy to another work. So, if he is a farmer, he should provide food for the rest of citizens and spend time and labor to provide food to be shared by them all. Abode all, each of us differs somewhat in nature from the others. On the contrary, if a carpenter attempts to make shoes although this is not him major work, it does not make sense and do have influence to their life in a city.
I may not support the idea raised in the book. However, what they state is that to do their own work in a city is justice and makes the city just.
Misaki
Socrates and the other philosophers draw the conclusion that justice is doing one's own work and not meddling with what is not one's own. The reason is based on what they discussed before. They discussed it is certainly beneficial and proper for a city to let people work for one particular job and not to let him devote energy to another work. So, if he is a farmer, he should provide food for the rest of citizens and spend time and labor to provide food to be shared by them all. Abode all, each of us differs somewhat in nature from the others. On the contrary, if a carpenter attempts to make shoes although this is not him major work, it does not make sense and do have influence to their life in a city.
I may not support the idea raised in the book. However, what they state is that to do their own work in a city is justice and makes the city just.
Misaki
6/18/2007
Plato in the book tells us how a leader in a nation has to be grown up and what they should acquire.
He states the both, music training and physical training. And he emphasized the harmony between music training and physical training is the most important thing to educate people. Why are they so important? They are to treat body and soul. Both traing affects on the other traing. When I was reading it, I came up with the idea "Bunbu Ryodo" in Japanese. It means that to be both in academics and sports. Then, I thought one big thought perpetuates all over the world no matter what the nation, people, life is.
Misaki
He states the both, music training and physical training. And he emphasized the harmony between music training and physical training is the most important thing to educate people. Why are they so important? They are to treat body and soul. Both traing affects on the other traing. When I was reading it, I came up with the idea "Bunbu Ryodo" in Japanese. It means that to be both in academics and sports. Then, I thought one big thought perpetuates all over the world no matter what the nation, people, life is.
Misaki
6/17/2007
6/16/2007
Gandhi's Satyagraha
Today, I got interested in the Gandhi's two types of theories; Satyagraha and Swaraj. So, I would be happy if I can convey you what I found about him. I will focus on Satyagraha in this blog.
The term, Satyagraha, is tha word which represents Gandhi's thought or belief during the fhight for discrimination in South Africa. The biggest incident he faced was "Black Act" in 1906. The Government in South Africa issued an order that all Indians — men, women and children should register themselves with Government by giving their full finger-prints and get their permits. He who fails to do so, will be fined, imprisoned or deported from the country. So, Gandhi declared: "This is an insult to the Indian community. We must fight this 'Black Act' in a non-violent way. The Government might use force, arrest us, send us to jail, and prosecute us, but we must face all this without resistance." He called this "Satyagraha". Actually, this means "force of truth and love". To be specific, Satyagraha avoids not only external physical violence but also violence of spirit. In addition, Gandhi stated Satyagraha includes the attitude to respect for the opponent. Related to this, Martin Luther King Jr. interpreted his idea as a spirit of cutting off the chain of hate. His concept of Satyagraha are nowappriciated in all over the globe.
See you,
Misaki
The term, Satyagraha, is tha word which represents Gandhi's thought or belief during the fhight for discrimination in South Africa. The biggest incident he faced was "Black Act" in 1906. The Government in South Africa issued an order that all Indians — men, women and children should register themselves with Government by giving their full finger-prints and get their permits. He who fails to do so, will be fined, imprisoned or deported from the country. So, Gandhi declared: "This is an insult to the Indian community. We must fight this 'Black Act' in a non-violent way. The Government might use force, arrest us, send us to jail, and prosecute us, but we must face all this without resistance." He called this "Satyagraha". Actually, this means "force of truth and love". To be specific, Satyagraha avoids not only external physical violence but also violence of spirit. In addition, Gandhi stated Satyagraha includes the attitude to respect for the opponent. Related to this, Martin Luther King Jr. interpreted his idea as a spirit of cutting off the chain of hate. His concept of Satyagraha are nowappriciated in all over the globe.
See you,
Misaki
6/15/2007
Book 2 in the Republic
Today, I'm showing you the content of Book 2 in the Republic.
Related to the last blog about "Book 2 in The Republic", we found that some philosophers, especially Adeimantus, believe and tries to conceive Socrates that "No one is just willingly. Through cowardice or old age or some other weakness, people do indeed object to injustice. But it is obvious that they do so only because they lack the power to do injustice." Continuously, Adeimantus do demand Socrates to demonstrate "How justice - because of its very self - benefit its possessor, and how injustice harm him." He emphasizes he doesn't need to hear "justice is stronger than injustice."
For his request, Socrates plans to argue justice associated with cities in order to find out if the larger entity is similar in form to the smaller one.
For the next discussion between Socrates and Adeimantus, they think over why a city come about and why justice and injustice come to exist in a city.
See you,
Misaki
Related to the last blog about "Book 2 in The Republic", we found that some philosophers, especially Adeimantus, believe and tries to conceive Socrates that "No one is just willingly. Through cowardice or old age or some other weakness, people do indeed object to injustice. But it is obvious that they do so only because they lack the power to do injustice." Continuously, Adeimantus do demand Socrates to demonstrate "How justice - because of its very self - benefit its possessor, and how injustice harm him." He emphasizes he doesn't need to hear "justice is stronger than injustice."
For his request, Socrates plans to argue justice associated with cities in order to find out if the larger entity is similar in form to the smaller one.
For the next discussion between Socrates and Adeimantus, they think over why a city come about and why justice and injustice come to exist in a city.
See you,
Misaki
6/14/2007
Gandhi, His Early Life
Today, I read the book about Gandhi. I'm going to show you what I found in the book.
He was born on October 2, 1869, into a Hindu family. His father, Kaba Gandhi, was an influential political figure. His mother is depicted as faultless. Gandhi said crucial influence on his life came from his mother. By the way, he describes himself as "very shy" and "mediocre student". And he was feeling fears most. He says in his autobiography that "I was coward. I used to be haunted by the fear of thieves, ghosts ans serpents. I did not dare to stir out of doors at night. Darkness was a terror to me." One of the reasons why he was such a weak boy is because of his early arranged marriage at thriteen years old. From this time, courage and fearlessness became hard sought virtues.
Gandhi summarizes central values that he had formed by age eighteen as he prepared to leave India for England. He left for London to study law in September 1888. He believes his cowardice vanished before the desire to go to England. He started his life in London at age nineteen determined to "be clumsy no more, but to try to become polished." He struggled to be a member of sophisticated culture abroad as he suggests he spent his money on buying an evening suit in the centre of fashionable life in London. He wasted ten minutes every day before a huge mirror, watching himself arranging his tie and parting his hair in the correct fashion.
There are some decisive events in his life to form his philosophy. The story about him will continue for the next time I write blog.
See you,
Misaki
He was born on October 2, 1869, into a Hindu family. His father, Kaba Gandhi, was an influential political figure. His mother is depicted as faultless. Gandhi said crucial influence on his life came from his mother. By the way, he describes himself as "very shy" and "mediocre student". And he was feeling fears most. He says in his autobiography that "I was coward. I used to be haunted by the fear of thieves, ghosts ans serpents. I did not dare to stir out of doors at night. Darkness was a terror to me." One of the reasons why he was such a weak boy is because of his early arranged marriage at thriteen years old. From this time, courage and fearlessness became hard sought virtues.
Gandhi summarizes central values that he had formed by age eighteen as he prepared to leave India for England. He left for London to study law in September 1888. He believes his cowardice vanished before the desire to go to England. He started his life in London at age nineteen determined to "be clumsy no more, but to try to become polished." He struggled to be a member of sophisticated culture abroad as he suggests he spent his money on buying an evening suit in the centre of fashionable life in London. He wasted ten minutes every day before a huge mirror, watching himself arranging his tie and parting his hair in the correct fashion.
There are some decisive events in his life to form his philosophy. The story about him will continue for the next time I write blog.
See you,
Misaki
6/13/2007
Socrates
Today, l'm going to show you brief introduction for Plato's teacher, Socrates.
Socrates was an ancient Greek philosopher and regarded as the father of political philosophy and ethics or moral philosophy. There is little source of information about him. So, Plato contributed to provide Socrates's story with us. Socratic Method is best rememberd as his theory. This is called method of inquiry. In this method, a series of question are supposed to help a person or group to determine their underlying beliefs and the extent of their knowledge. He once said that
"I know you won't believe me, but the highest form of Human Excellence is to question oneself and others."
See you,
Misaki
Socrates was an ancient Greek philosopher and regarded as the father of political philosophy and ethics or moral philosophy. There is little source of information about him. So, Plato contributed to provide Socrates's story with us. Socratic Method is best rememberd as his theory. This is called method of inquiry. In this method, a series of question are supposed to help a person or group to determine their underlying beliefs and the extent of their knowledge. He once said that
"I know you won't believe me, but the highest form of Human Excellence is to question oneself and others."
See you,
Misaki
6/12/2007
Book 2 in the Republic
Today, we are going to keep on looking at the Book 2 in the Republic.
After Graucon finished arguing about his opinion about the origin of justice, his older brother Adeimantus became involved in the discussion. In the book, he states "When fathers speak to their sons to give them advice, they say that one must be just, as do all those who have others in their charge. But they do not praise justice itself, only the good reputation it brings. This is because if we are reputed to be just, then, as a result of our reputation, we will get political offices, good mariages and so on."
Next, He tells Socrates that there is another kind of argument about justice and injustice to consider. That is "justice and temperance are fine things, but difficult and onerous, while intemperance and injustice are sweet and easy to acquire and are only shameful by reput and convention."
In addition, he continues "there is no advantage in my being just if I am not also thought just. If it is true, I must surely turn entirely to it."
It seems there is no explanation to support the idea injustice is much more benefitable and good than justice. Thinking of this sort of topic is really important and meaningful to us, the young to consider how they should live their life from now. I think it is the very issue which have an influence on us.
See you,
Misaki
After Graucon finished arguing about his opinion about the origin of justice, his older brother Adeimantus became involved in the discussion. In the book, he states "When fathers speak to their sons to give them advice, they say that one must be just, as do all those who have others in their charge. But they do not praise justice itself, only the good reputation it brings. This is because if we are reputed to be just, then, as a result of our reputation, we will get political offices, good mariages and so on."
Next, He tells Socrates that there is another kind of argument about justice and injustice to consider. That is "justice and temperance are fine things, but difficult and onerous, while intemperance and injustice are sweet and easy to acquire and are only shameful by reput and convention."
In addition, he continues "there is no advantage in my being just if I am not also thought just. If it is true, I must surely turn entirely to it."
It seems there is no explanation to support the idea injustice is much more benefitable and good than justice. Thinking of this sort of topic is really important and meaningful to us, the young to consider how they should live their life from now. I think it is the very issue which have an influence on us.
See you,
Misaki
6/11/2007
Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke and J.S.Mill
Today, I want to introduce five well know philosophers in the world who are also going to be our main people to be analyzed in my course.
First, I will tell you Thomas Hobbes. He was an English philosopher from the late 16 century to the late 17 century. He is today best remembered for his work on political philosophy. However, he contributed to the other fields of study,too. Do you know his famous book? It's Leviathan which is just the book we will read in the class, I think. And someone else, we will study John Locke and his work called Two Treaties of Civil Government, Rousseau and his work called Discourse on the Orgin and Foundation of Inquality Among Men. There are two more philosophers we will serch for. They are Burke and his work named Reflections on the Revolution in France and J.S. Mill and his work called On Liberty.
For further information, I will write about them later.
See you,
Misaki
First, I will tell you Thomas Hobbes. He was an English philosopher from the late 16 century to the late 17 century. He is today best remembered for his work on political philosophy. However, he contributed to the other fields of study,too. Do you know his famous book? It's Leviathan which is just the book we will read in the class, I think. And someone else, we will study John Locke and his work called Two Treaties of Civil Government, Rousseau and his work called Discourse on the Orgin and Foundation of Inquality Among Men. There are two more philosophers we will serch for. They are Burke and his work named Reflections on the Revolution in France and J.S. Mill and his work called On Liberty.
For further information, I will write about them later.
See you,
Misaki
6/10/2007
Book 2 in the Republic
Today, we're going to look at Book 2 in the Republic. Glaucon who is Plato's older brother and Socrates argues about what justice is and what the orgin of justice is.And in the last part of Book 2, Socrates tries to think over justice from the perspective of what it means to a nation.
Glaucon states what he want to hear from Socrates is "what justice and injustice are, and what power each has when it is just by itself in the soul." Additionally, he explains how justice is considered to be and what the origins are. Second, he argues that all persons are unwilling to practice it and feel they are forced to do it. Third, he argues that there is no reason to deny their acts.
Later, he explains the origin of justice from his viewpoint. It is the laws or convenants which people promised not to do injustice to others or to suffer it. Because they know that to do injustice is naturally good and to suffer injustice bad, and badness of suffering it far exceeds the goodness of doing it, they come to an agreement not to do such thing each other. All in all, he asserts that people practice justice unwillingly because they lack the power to do injustice. Thus, justice is not a positive one but a negative one.
To get to understand the book is really hard to me. But I hope my knowledge of the book will become deeper.
Thank you for reading my blog.
See you,
Misaki
Glaucon states what he want to hear from Socrates is "what justice and injustice are, and what power each has when it is just by itself in the soul." Additionally, he explains how justice is considered to be and what the origins are. Second, he argues that all persons are unwilling to practice it and feel they are forced to do it. Third, he argues that there is no reason to deny their acts.
Later, he explains the origin of justice from his viewpoint. It is the laws or convenants which people promised not to do injustice to others or to suffer it. Because they know that to do injustice is naturally good and to suffer injustice bad, and badness of suffering it far exceeds the goodness of doing it, they come to an agreement not to do such thing each other. All in all, he asserts that people practice justice unwillingly because they lack the power to do injustice. Thus, justice is not a positive one but a negative one.
To get to understand the book is really hard to me. But I hope my knowledge of the book will become deeper.
Thank you for reading my blog.
See you,
Misaki
6/09/2007
Book 1 in the Republic
Hello. I want to describe synopsis of Book 1 in the Republic today to understand interactive flow.
The story starts when Socrates meets Polemarchus and his aged father, Cephalus in Book 1. They discuss the burdens of old age. Socrates says "I enjoy engaging in discussion with the very old. I think we should learn from them - since they are like people who have traveled a road that we too will probably have to follow - what the road is like, whether rough and difficult or smooth and easy." Concering the burdens of ald age, Cephalus tells the real cause is not old age but the way people live. He continues "If they are orderly and contented is only moderately onerous." The word "onerous" means work or a responsibility that is onerous is difficult and worrying or makes you tired.
After the converstaion, Cephalus hands over the argument about the definition of justice to Polemarchus and goes off to a sacrifice to the gods.
Socrates and Polemarchus keeps on talking about justice. Polemarchus emphasizes Justice is what is advantageous for the stronger. He supports his idea with two separate arguments.
I would like to move to Book 2 in the next time.
See you,
Misaki
The story starts when Socrates meets Polemarchus and his aged father, Cephalus in Book 1. They discuss the burdens of old age. Socrates says "I enjoy engaging in discussion with the very old. I think we should learn from them - since they are like people who have traveled a road that we too will probably have to follow - what the road is like, whether rough and difficult or smooth and easy." Concering the burdens of ald age, Cephalus tells the real cause is not old age but the way people live. He continues "If they are orderly and contented is only moderately onerous." The word "onerous" means work or a responsibility that is onerous is difficult and worrying or makes you tired.
After the converstaion, Cephalus hands over the argument about the definition of justice to Polemarchus and goes off to a sacrifice to the gods.
Socrates and Polemarchus keeps on talking about justice. Polemarchus emphasizes Justice is what is advantageous for the stronger. He supports his idea with two separate arguments.
I would like to move to Book 2 in the next time.
See you,
Misaki
6/08/2007
the Prince
What I'm going to tell you today is about the Prince written by Machiavelli.
The Prince is unique. It is not because it explains how to take control of other lands and how to control them, but because it gives advice that often disregards all moral and ethical rules. It is different from other books about creating and controlling principalities because it doesn't tell you what an ideal prince or principality which princes are the most successful in obtaining and maintaining power. In addition, his best known remark is that "mokuteki no tame nara syudan wo erabanai" in Japanese. Because of this assertion, the book is recognized extreme. This influential book explain methods to secure and maintain political power. And it simply describes the means how individuals have tried to take control and to maintain power.
See you,
Misaki
The Prince is unique. It is not because it explains how to take control of other lands and how to control them, but because it gives advice that often disregards all moral and ethical rules. It is different from other books about creating and controlling principalities because it doesn't tell you what an ideal prince or principality which princes are the most successful in obtaining and maintaining power. In addition, his best known remark is that "mokuteki no tame nara syudan wo erabanai" in Japanese. Because of this assertion, the book is recognized extreme. This influential book explain methods to secure and maintain political power. And it simply describes the means how individuals have tried to take control and to maintain power.
See you,
Misaki
6/07/2007
Machiavelli and Medici
Today, I discovered the relationship between Machiavelli and Medici. Machiavelli is a key person in the field of Political Theory as well as Plato. And his work "the Prince" has been recognized as the masterpiece till today. It is translated into Japanese, kunsyuron.
He was an Italian political philosopher, musician, poet and romantic comedic playwright. By the way, the book was written for the Medici, and he showed them how the prince maintain
the power toin an attempt to make the country more stable.
See you,
Misaki
6/06/2007
Gandhi
Hello. I would like to illustrate Gandhi's biography briefly today in my blog.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in the town of Porbandar. He was the youngest of five children. His moither appers to be more influential on him than his father did. She is described as a faultless. In his childhood, he was very shy and mediocre student. When he set out for England to study law in Septenber 1888. Though going abroad to England is really rare, his family were willing to help him with advancing his interests in terms of finance. He started to get involved in English society, determined to "be clumsy no more, but to try to become polished" at age nineteen. He was trying hard to become English gentleman. However, this idea would be questionable to himself.
I will tell you the rest of the story in the next time.
See you,
Misaki
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in the town of Porbandar. He was the youngest of five children. His moither appers to be more influential on him than his father did. She is described as a faultless. In his childhood, he was very shy and mediocre student. When he set out for England to study law in Septenber 1888. Though going abroad to England is really rare, his family were willing to help him with advancing his interests in terms of finance. He started to get involved in English society, determined to "be clumsy no more, but to try to become polished" at age nineteen. He was trying hard to become English gentleman. However, this idea would be questionable to himself.
I will tell you the rest of the story in the next time.
See you,
Misaki
6/05/2007
Hi. Today, I found a little thing about Machiavelli and the Renaissance.
Modern political thought begins when Niccolo Machiavelli wrote the Prince. It marks new period of history. To completely understand why it do so, it seems we need to know the background in that era.
The era is called the Renaissance. It begins with Francesco Petrarch's discovery in 1345 of a copy of Cicero's letter's to Attics regarding to this field of study. The remarkable thing about his letter is, firstly, it is written in Lattin. Secondly, the letter caused thought about time and change. Not only language but also institutions, clothes, currency weights and measures, everything, had changed since Cicero's time. Third, the letter led a questioning of Christian values. The values which emphasized pride and courage rather than humility and guilt citizenship rather than salvation were very different from Christianity.
See you,
Misaki
Modern political thought begins when Niccolo Machiavelli wrote the Prince. It marks new period of history. To completely understand why it do so, it seems we need to know the background in that era.
The era is called the Renaissance. It begins with Francesco Petrarch's discovery in 1345 of a copy of Cicero's letter's to Attics regarding to this field of study. The remarkable thing about his letter is, firstly, it is written in Lattin. Secondly, the letter caused thought about time and change. Not only language but also institutions, clothes, currency weights and measures, everything, had changed since Cicero's time. Third, the letter led a questioning of Christian values. The values which emphasized pride and courage rather than humility and guilt citizenship rather than salvation were very different from Christianity.
See you,
Misaki
6/04/2007
the Book: Modern Political Thought
I've got three textbooks at last! Today, I'm going to show you one of the books titled "Modern political Thought" written by David Wootton. This book provides an introduction to modern political philosophy from Machiavelli to Nietzsche. It is including other philosophers like Hobbes, Locke, Hume, Rousseau, Smith, Burke, Kant, Bentham, Mill, Hegel and Marx. I'm exited to know of all of them in this summer. However, I don't have a confidence in understanding such a many people. But I just have to try to read the textbooks right now.
See you,
Misaki
See you,
Misaki
6/03/2007
Gandhi's Principals
Today, I found that Gandhi's principles: truth, nonviolence, vegetarianism, brahmacharya, simplicity and faith. I will look at respective subject and know what the word means.
After knowing his thoughts, philosophical thought, I want to be able to apply them to our life today for any purpose. In other words, I don't want to end up just understanding what he was thinking in the past through the study for him. However, I want to make them practical.
I'm sorry for not improving my understanding of his philosphy today.
See you,
Misaki
After knowing his thoughts, philosophical thought, I want to be able to apply them to our life today for any purpose. In other words, I don't want to end up just understanding what he was thinking in the past through the study for him. However, I want to make them practical.
I'm sorry for not improving my understanding of his philosphy today.
See you,
Misaki
6/02/2007
Mahatma Gandhi: Selected Political Writings
Today, let me tell you the other widely known man in history. His name is Mahatma Gandhi. The reason why I am going to take him up is because I am expected to read his work titled "Selected Political Writings" in the course.
Synopsis is described in the website at Amazon. It says that "Based on the complete edition of his works, this new volume presents Gandhi's most important political writings arranged around the two central themes of his political teachings: satyagraha (the power of non-violence) and swaraji (freedom). Dennis Dalton's general introduction and headnotes highlight the life of Gandhi, set the readings in hisorical context, and provide insight into the conceptual framework of Gandhi's political theory."
Mahatma Gandhi lived from October2, 1869 to January 30 , 1948. He is a prime political and spiritual leader in India and the Indian Independence Movement. His birthday is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti which is a national holiday in India. It proves how much he is respected. He was the pioneer of Satyagraha. Satya is Sanskrit for “truth” and graha is for "effort/endeavor."
He explains his idea as follows: Its root meaning is holding on to truth, hence truth-force. I have also called it Love-force or Soul-force. In the application of Satyagraha I discovered in the earliest stages that pursuit of truth did not admit of violence being inflicted on one’s opponent but that he must be weaned from error by patience and sympathy. For what appears to be truth to the one may appear to be error to the other. And patience means self-suffering. So the doctrine came to mean vindication of truth not by infliction of suffering on the opponent but on one’s self.
That's all for today's blog. I'm grateful to feel him close to me by knowing his life or his thought now.
See you,
Misaki
Synopsis is described in the website at Amazon. It says that "Based on the complete edition of his works, this new volume presents Gandhi's most important political writings arranged around the two central themes of his political teachings: satyagraha (the power of non-violence) and swaraji (freedom). Dennis Dalton's general introduction and headnotes highlight the life of Gandhi, set the readings in hisorical context, and provide insight into the conceptual framework of Gandhi's political theory."
Mahatma Gandhi lived from October2, 1869 to January 30 , 1948. He is a prime political and spiritual leader in India and the Indian Independence Movement. His birthday is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti which is a national holiday in India. It proves how much he is respected. He was the pioneer of Satyagraha. Satya is Sanskrit for “truth” and graha is for "effort/endeavor."
He explains his idea as follows: Its root meaning is holding on to truth, hence truth-force. I have also called it Love-force or Soul-force. In the application of Satyagraha I discovered in the earliest stages that pursuit of truth did not admit of violence being inflicted on one’s opponent but that he must be weaned from error by patience and sympathy. For what appears to be truth to the one may appear to be error to the other. And patience means self-suffering. So the doctrine came to mean vindication of truth not by infliction of suffering on the opponent but on one’s self.
That's all for today's blog. I'm grateful to feel him close to me by knowing his life or his thought now.
See you,
Misaki
Today, I would like to show you the way how Socrates describe an end in the book.
To begin with, please let me ask some questions instead of Socrates. He asks you "Can you see, except with the eye?" The answer is "Certainly not." The next question is "Can you hear, except with the ear?" "No." He continues asking "you can cut off a vine-branch with a dagger or with a chisel, and in many other ways?" It is true. But, you yet cannot cut it off so well as with a pruning-hook made for the purpose. Thus, Socrates explain we could say that this is the end of a pruning-hook.
Socrates concluded that "the end of anything would be that which could not be accomplished, or not so well accomplished." And he proclaim "an end has also an excellence."
Later, he questions "he can the eyes fulfil their end if they are wanting in their own proper excellence and have a defect instead? " That is to say, what he want to summarise is that "the things which fulfil their ends fulfil them by their own proper excellence, and fall of fulfilling them by their own defect."
After that, he moves to the matter about soul. He connects the topic of an end and soul. He wonders that "has not the soul an end which nothing else can fulfil?" He keeps on sying "has not the soul an excellence also?" "When deprived of that excellence, then an evil soul must necessarily be an evil ruler and superintendent, and the good soul a good ruler."
Hopefully, they have admitted that "justice is the excellence of the soul, and injustice the defect of the soul." Then "the just soul and the just man will live well, and the unjust man will live ill."
And now, we found that "he who lives well is blessed and happy, and he who lives ill the reverse of happy."
Like these controversies, Socrates proves his thought and love to argue.
See you,
Misaki
To begin with, please let me ask some questions instead of Socrates. He asks you "Can you see, except with the eye?" The answer is "Certainly not." The next question is "Can you hear, except with the ear?" "No." He continues asking "you can cut off a vine-branch with a dagger or with a chisel, and in many other ways?" It is true. But, you yet cannot cut it off so well as with a pruning-hook made for the purpose. Thus, Socrates explain we could say that this is the end of a pruning-hook.
Socrates concluded that "the end of anything would be that which could not be accomplished, or not so well accomplished." And he proclaim "an end has also an excellence."
Later, he questions "he can the eyes fulfil their end if they are wanting in their own proper excellence and have a defect instead? " That is to say, what he want to summarise is that "the things which fulfil their ends fulfil them by their own proper excellence, and fall of fulfilling them by their own defect."
After that, he moves to the matter about soul. He connects the topic of an end and soul. He wonders that "has not the soul an end which nothing else can fulfil?" He keeps on sying "has not the soul an excellence also?" "When deprived of that excellence, then an evil soul must necessarily be an evil ruler and superintendent, and the good soul a good ruler."
Hopefully, they have admitted that "justice is the excellence of the soul, and injustice the defect of the soul." Then "the just soul and the just man will live well, and the unjust man will live ill."
And now, we found that "he who lives well is blessed and happy, and he who lives ill the reverse of happy."
Like these controversies, Socrates proves his thought and love to argue.
See you,
Misaki
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